Tuesday, October 12, 2010

"What are the main factors for you to like a nightclub/lounge? Like, what about the whole process stands out to you as being important? Music, decor, theme, staff, location, name, etc.? Basically just wondering what makes you enjoy a spot & obviously want to return, bring friends, tell people & ultimately deem worth spending $$?"

Hmmmmmmmmm. What do you guys think?! I'd be interested in hearing your answers—as well as I'm certain bar and club owners would be equally curious . . .

Every Tuesday look for the week's top performances paired with the best deals before and/or after the show:

Drake at Chicago Theater. It looks like this R&B star/actor's career has taken off like lightening, and he may have Chris Brown's downfall to thank for that. 2010 has definitely been one hell of a year for Drake, who released his debut studio album ("Thank Me Later") and collaborated with hip-hop royalty: Lil Wayne, Young Jeezy, Kanye West, Eminem and Jay-Z on a number of songs. This is one of the most highly anticipated shows of the year. Opening act is Tyga. 8pm Wednesday, Thursday. Get tickets here. The official after-party goes down at The Shrine, and Drake is confirmed to attend.

. . . at the new logo for GT Fish & Oyster, the seafood-focused resto taking over the old Tizi Melloul space in River North.

Named after its executive chef and partner Guiseppe Tentori, the restaurant is part of the incredibly sucessful Boka Restaurant Group, which is also behind Boka, (where Tentori is also executive chef and partner), Landmark,Perennial and Girl & The Goat.

Boka Group partner Kevin Boehm tells 312DD exclusively that GT Fish & Oyster is expected to open in the winter, sometime in February 2011.

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The Dish:

Audarshia Townsend's introduction to the online world began as one of the first two editors at metromix.com--where they set the tone for the entertainment site's cutting-edge style. She also has written lifestyle features for the Chicago Tribune, Essence, Los Angeles Times, Michigan Avenue, about.com, playboy.com, Huffington Post, DiningChicago.com, World's Best Bars and Upscale magazine. Additionally, she has appeared regularly on CLTV, WGN-TV and WCIU-TV's "You & Me This Morning" for cocktail-, dining- and nightlife-related features. In 2007, Audarshia launched 312DiningDiva.com, a daily dining-and-drinking blog keeping readers up to date on Chicago happenings. Her interests include staying fit with a regular Forrest Yoga practice, cycling in the city, and Flywheel Chicago classes.